5 players who are on borrowed time at Real Madrid

Real Madrid possess probably the strongest squad in world football. Yet, this season hasn't gone to plan. They started the season with a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win over Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa, but since then they have struggled to win even when they have played at home.

Wholesome injuries this season has been a major problem for them, but some players are like dead wood in that team that needs to be removed. As only the best and the fittest can play for the mighty Real Madrid.

Here are the five players who don't deserve to be at Los Blancos anymore-

---

#5 Mateo Kovacic

Mateo Kovacic

In 2015, when Real Madrid signed Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan for €32m, he was expected to be the future star of Madrid's midfield. The 21-year-old midfielder was in high demand as teams like Liverpool and Chelsea were prying for his transfer. Kovacic's ability to cut through opposition's midfield was one of the main reason why big teams were going for his transfer.

Fast forward to today and Kova?i? is yet to attain full fitness after picking up a right adductor tendon strain against Apoel in September. Even though he started in the Copa Del Ray match against Fuenlabrada, his performance was quite average compared to others.

He never reached the level that was expected from him at Real Madrid. In La Liga 2016/17 season, he mustered just 3 assists and scored 1 in 27 games. Replacing Kroos or Modric in that team seems too hard for him.

#4 Lucas Vasquez

Lucas Vasquez

The 2015-16 season was a breakthrough season for Lucas Vasquez. Everything he touched, turned to gold. He scored 4 goals and assisted 6 while starting in 10 games and playing as a substitute in other 15 matches. The initiated buyback by Real Madrid to get Vasquez was paying dividends. But, his form started to dip from next season onwards.

Vasquez scored just 2 goals and assisted 7 in 33 games out of which 12 were starts. He was not able to secure his place as the replacement of Gareth Bale when the latter was injured. His dip in form has continued this season as until now he has just scored one goal and assisted none in 12 matches out of which 4 were starts. To add to that, He has missed 3 big chances in this season.

Vazquez's demise in form can be attributed somewhat to the lack of consistent playing time, but like Asensio, Vazquez also should have had grabbed the opportunity by the scruff of its neck and should have become a regular starter by now.

#3 Nacho Fernandez

Nacho Fernandez

Nacho Fernandez joined Real Madrid as an 11-year-old and made his senior debut in 2011 under Jose Mourinho. Until last season, he even failed to nail down a regular place in the starting lineup. He was always seen as a stop-gap in that team full of star-studded names.

Even though Nacho's versatility to play in all the defensive positions has earned him quite a few starts this season, practically he stands no chance of securing a place against the likes of Ramos, Varane, Carvajal and Marcelo in the big matches, which says a lot.

Nacho is a defensive jack of all trades but a master of none. His pace restrains him from becoming an effective full-back whereas his uncertain defensive errors refrain him from being deployed in the middle.

Nacho's loyalty towards the club can be measured by the fact that he has never complained about the lack of playing time he gets. But, It would be best for Nacho to seek regular first team football elsewhere, where he might become the go-to man in some of the low-key games.

#2 Kiko Casilla

Kiko Casilla

One prominent reason why Keylor Navas's mistakes have been neglected by Real Madrid's hierarchy is due to the lack of competition he faces from Kiko Casilla. Real Madrid signed Kiko Casilla as the replacement of outgoing Iker Casillas, but he has failed to fill into the shoes of the latter. Casilla is a decent goalkeeper and he would do quite well if he played for any other team in the division but still he isn't the top quality material needed for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have always been known for having top class goalkeepers like Casillas, Bodo Illgner, Ricardo Zamora, Jose Banon et al. Footballing History has always been glorified by the presence of these legends, but Casilla have been substandard when compared to them.

Buying a replacement for Casilla also might help in improving the performances of Navas who a pretty good keeper, in fairness.

#1 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale

No one would ever forget the amazing goal Gareth Bale scored against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey Final 2014, where he solely tore Barcelona's defence apart. Before last season, he looked like the Galactico Florentino Perez was searching for. But since then, Bale has often been linked with moves away from Madrid and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave the club next summer.

From mid 2016/17 season, his career has been marred by frustrating injuries and lack of form. Last season, Zidane even found a successful way of playing without Bale by playing Isco behind Benzema and Ronaldo, which was a major reason of Bale not being rushed into the Champions League final playing XI even after being fit.

Bale was courted highly by Manchester United in the summer and Real Madrid too are reportedly keeping tabs on Mohammed Salah as a replacement for the inconsistent Welshman.